"This, then is our desert:
to live facing despair,
but not to consent.
To trample it down under hope in the Cross.
To wage war against despair unceasingly.
That war is our wilderness.
If we wage it courageously,
we will find Christ at our side.
If we cannot face it,
we will never find him."

Saturday, 23 November 2013

Britten

In a week of notable anniversaries, yesterday marked the centenary of the birth of Benjamin Britten. This was written while the composer was still at school - a setting of the anonymous medieval lyric, A Hymn to the Virgin - sung here by the Choir of Westminster Cathedral, directed by David Hill

A Hymn to the VirginOf on that is so fayr and brightVelut maris stella,Brighter than the day is light,Parens et puella:Ic crie to the, thou see to me,Levedy, preye thi Sone for me,Tam pia,That ic mote come to theeMaria.

Al this world was for-loreEva peccatrice,Tyl our Lord was y-boreDe te genetrice.With ave it went awayThuster nyth and comz the day Salutis;The welle springeth ut of the,Virtutis.